Chelsea come into this match having scored 13 goals in the last week. They are high on confidence and almost every player in the squad is capable of scoring goals at will. The team finally looks to have adapted well under their new manager Rafa Benitez.

But it will not a walk in the park for the Blues as they take on a Norwich side which is on a 5 match winning streak at home. Also Norwich let in just 2 goals in their last 5 EPL games and the solidity of their defence will really come to test against an in form Chelsea attack.

 

Norwich Team News :

• The main talking point for the Canaries will be the availability of their captain Grant Holt. They will hope he can overcome a hamstring injury and make an appearance in the game.
• Steven Whittaker is out, joining John Ruddy, Andrew Surman and Ryan Bennett are on the sidelines.
• Russell Martin is in line to replace Whittaker at the back while Holt is expected to return up front in place of Steve Morison.
• They are still likely to field a strong team in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

 

Likely Starting XI

Bunn

Martin, Turner, Bassong, Garrido

Tettey, Johnson

Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Pilkington

Holt

Player to watch : Robert Snodgrass

Former Leeds United winger Robert Snodgrass is enjoying a rich vein of form.He has been one of the club’s brightest stars this season, scoring four goals and assisting on three others in 17 EPL appearances this year. Snodgrass scored most recently in a loss to West Brom on Saturday.

 

Chelsea Team News :

• Chelsea will once again be without their captain John Terry whose knee injury is taking longer than expected to heal.
• Daniel Sturridge will be another absentee as he is all set to complete his move to Liverpool once the transfer window open on January 1st.
• Ryan Bertrand also remains a doubt after he was forced off in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup quarter-final at Leeds.
• Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is back in contention after completing a three-game ban.
• After scoring two goals in just over half an hour against Aston Villa, it would be a surprise if Ramires doesn’t get a place in the starting 11.
• Benitez will have major selection problems as Oscar also had a great game as a substitute in that 8-0 win, scoring a goal.

 

Likely Starting XI

Cech

Ivanovic, Cahill,Luiz ,Cole

Lampard, Ramires

Oscar, Mata, Hazard

Torres

Player to watch : Fernando Torres : 

Fernando Torres is in great form scoring 3 goals in Chelsea’s last 4 games. He tends to struggle in the big games but is always a danger against smaller opponents. He will be the target man for Chelsea and will cause all sorts of problems to the Norwich back four. 

 

Prediction : Norwich 1-3 Chelsea

It will definitely not be an easy game for Chelsea compared to their last 2 games. Chelsea will have to work hard but look in good nick to score at least 2 past Norwich and look likely to snatch a late goal in a counter attacking move.